FOOTBALL NEWS
02/03/2018 10:00, Report by Adam Higgins
David De Gea has been voted Manchester United’s Player of the Month for February by the club's supporters.
As always, fans voted in their thousands in the poll, conducted via our official Twitter account @ManUtd, and De Gea picked up more than half of the final tally (60 per cent). Team-mates Scott McTominay (21 per cent) and Romelu Lukaku (19 per cent) were also nominated.
It's the first time the Spanish goalkeeper, who also made the shortlist for October's prize, has won the Reds' star-man award this season.
WHY DID DAVID WIN IT?De Gea was in inspired form between the sticks throughout February, proving once again why many feel he is the best in the business in world football.
His stand-out performance undoubtedly came in his homeland as he ensured the Reds' UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Sevilla remained goalless heading into the second leg with some stunning stops – including a world-class save to keep out Luis Muriel’s close-range header.
It was one of two clean sheets that our no.1 kept in his four appearances during the month – having also shut out Huddersfield in the 2-0 league win at Old Trafford, but he was rested for the Emirates FA Cup victory over the same opponents at the John Smith’s Stadium.
De Gea conceded just two goals in his 378 minutes of action last month – scored by Matt Ritchie in the Reds’ 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United, and Willian in the 2-1 win over Chelsea last weekend.
Our no.1 has prevented the opposition from scoring in 19 of the 34 games he is played in all competitions this term. In the Premier League, he leads the race for this season’s Golden Glove, awarded to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets. With 10 games left to play, he is on 15 shut-outs - that's two more than Chelsea’s Thibault Courtois and three more than Tottenham shot-stopper Hugo Lloris in third place.
HIGH PRAISE FOR OUR NUMBER ONE Jose Mourinho has long been an admirer of De Gea’s and feels he’s in the right place to continue achieving success in his career.
Speaking after the Spaniard's Man-of-the-Match display in December’s 3-1 win at Arsenal, Mourinho said that the impressive performance proved he’s the best goalkeeper in the world, while just last month, he spoke of his eagerness to retain the ever-popular player's services for the long term.
“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and it’s not possible for a team to be successful without a fantastic goalkeeper,” stated the boss, after the Reds' goalless draw against Sevilla.
ManUtd.com’s Adam Marshall also feels De Gea has now usurped Peter Schmeichel as United’s greatest-ever goalkeeper, following his outstanding exploits since arriving at the club from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
THIS SEASON’S PLAYER OF THE MONTH WINNERS SO FAR:August: Paul Pogba
September: Anthony Martial
October: Anthony Martial
November: Ashley Young
December: Jesse Lingard
January: Anthony Martial
February: David De Gea